Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

Tennessee House Bill HB0799 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1	1
2		-	SENATE BILL 863
3		-	By Stevens
	2	+	<BillNo> <Sponsor>
4	3
5	4		HOUSE BILL 799
6	5		By Grills
7	6
8	7
9	8		HB0799
10	9		002885
11	10		- 1 -
12	11
13	12		AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 11,
14	13		Chapter 14, Part 1 and Title 70, relative to
15	14		Reelfoot Lake guide licenses.
16	15
17	16		WHEREAS, in the winter of 1811 a violent series of earthquakes near the northwest
18	17		corner of Tennessee caused the land along the mighty Mississippi River to sink, creating a
19	18		water-filled basin that would come to be known as Reelfoot Lake; and
20	19		WHEREAS, Reelfoot Lake, located in both Lake and Obion Counties, is Tennessee's
21	20		largest natural lake spanning approximately 15,000 acres; and
22	21		WHEREAS, the lake's unique landscape of shallow marshes and bayous encompassed
23	22		by the majestic cypress forest is unlike any other waterbody in the state; and
24	23		WHEREAS, Reelfoot Lake historically supported the region's growth by providing a
25	24		reliable source of irrigation to the agriculture industry; and
26	25		WHEREAS, it is home to rare and diverse aquatic and wildlife species, and
27	26		WHEREAS, in 1966, Reelfoot Lake was designated a National Natural Landmark by the
28	27		U.S. Department of Interior and the National Park Service; and
29	28		WHEREAS, in 1956, certain areas of the lake were designated as a state park; and
30	29		WHEREAS, in 1973, Reelfoot Lake was designated as a state natural area; and
31	30		WHEREAS, the lake celebrates a long history of hunting and fishing, supporting habitat
32	31		for rare and diverse aquatic and wildlife species, and is a celebrated breeding and habitat area
33	32		for the great American bald eagle and over 200 other migratory birds; and
34	33		WHEREAS, Reelfoot Lake is part of the 24,000 acre Reelfoot Wildlife Management
35	34		Area, attracting over 750,000 people a year to enjoy what is considered top-ranking waterfowl
36	35		hunting in the Mississippi Flyway; and
37	36
38	37
39	38		- 2 - 002885
40	39
41	40		WHEREAS, Reelfoot Lake is a bona fide sportsman's paradise of national renown with a
42	41		long history, heritage, and local economy centered on sportsman activity, including the business
43	42		of guide services; and
44	43		WHEREAS, the General Assembly has designated the Tennessee Wildlife Resources
45	44		Agency and the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission as the regulating authority for
46	45		hunting, fishing, and guiding activity in this State; and
47	46		WHEREAS, due to the unique landscape and hazards of Reelfoot Lake, a level of
48	47		expertise and familiarity with the lake and its uniqueness is required for safe navigation and
49	48		enjoyment; now, therefore,
50	49		BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
51	50		SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 70-1-101, is amended by inserting
52	51		the following as a new subdivision:
53	52		( ) "Guide" means a person who accepts compensation for assisting persons
54	53		who hunt, fish, or trap, and who is required to possess a guide license issued pursuant
55	54		to § 70-2-227;
56	55		SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 70, Chapter 2, Part 2, is amended by
57	56		adding the following as a new section:
58	57		70-2-227.
59	58		The commission shall:
60	59		(1) Create and issue waterfowl guide licenses for persons who work as
61	60		waterfowl guides at Reelfoot Lake, located in Lake and Obion Counties; and
62	61		(2) Promulgate rules to effectuate this section, including rules to require
63	62		Reelfoot-specific waterfowl guides to demonstrate relevant knowledge of
64	63		Reelfoot Lake and its inherent hazards. Such rules must be accordance with the
65	64		Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5.
66	65
67	66
68	67		- 3 - 002885
69	68
70	69		SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon becoming law, the public welfare requiring it.